Adjustable pedestal assembly

ABSTRACT

A pedestal assembly receivable on a support surface to support at least one flooring element over the support surface, the assembly comprising first and second members which are telescopically interengaged so as to be able to assume an extended state and a retracted state, whereby a height of the pedestal assembly is adjustable to set a spacing between the flooring element(s) and the support surface, the assembly including a locking mechanism operable in the extended state by way of relative rotation of the members such that the first and second members are locked in the extended state.

The entire disclosure of the specification of Australian ProvisionalPatent Application No. 2017900067 as originally filed on 11 Jan. 2017 isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pedestal assembly for elevating a buildingsurface, and more specifically a height-adjustable pedestal assembly forsupporting flooring elements such as timber joists, tiles or stones.

BACKGROUND

It is common for height-adjustable cylinder-type pedestals to be usedfor supporting flooring elements over uneven ground surfaces, wherebythe height of such pedestals can be adjusted by the relative rotation ofthreaded cylinders. An array of such pedestals is typically deployed toprovide an elevated building surface across the ground for subsequentmounting of flooring elements.

A problem with conventional pedestals is that rotating threadedcylinders becomes a time-consuming exercise if significant heightadjustments are required, and the problem is compounded if adjustmentsare required across a large array of pedestals. A further drawback isthat conventional threaded cylinder pedestals usually cover a relativelynarrow range of height increments which means that expensive add-oncylinders would often need to be procured and installed to thepedestals.

The applicant has determined that it would be advantageous to provide animproved pedestal assembly that can be configured for use with largeheight variances and whereby pedestal height can be adjusted quickly andeasily. The present invention, in its preferred embodiments, seeks to atleast in part alleviate the above-identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pedestal assembly receivable on a support surface to support at leastone flooring element over the support surface, the assembly comprisingfirst and second members which are telescopically interengaged so as tobe able to assume an extended state and a retracted state, whereby aheight of the pedestal assembly is adjustable to set a spacing betweenthe flooring element(s) and the support surface, the assembly includinga locking mechanism operable in the extended state by way of relativerotation of the members such that the first and second members arelocked in the extended state.

Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises circumferentially spacedlocking grooves located on one of said members and complementary lockingprojections located on the other member, the locking projections beingarranged to be received in the grooves such that the locking conditionis assumed.

Preferably, the locking grooves are located at or proximate a top end ofsaid one member and the locking projections are located at or proximatea bottom end of the other member. Preferably, said other member isconfigured with formations arranged to reinforce said lockingprojections, each formation preferably comprising a rib or gusset.

Preferably, each locking projection is reinforced by a respectiveplurality of said formations, the formations in each pluralitypreferably comprising three or more formations which are equally spaced.

Preferably, the locking grooves consist of three said grooves spacedsubstantially 120 degrees apart. Alternatively, the locking groovesconsist of four said grooves spaced substantially 90 degrees apart.

Preferably, the locking mechanism includes at least one projectionarranged on one of said members and resiliently biased in a radialdirection so as to abut a respective shoulder on the other of saidmembers in the locking condition to restrain the members from rotationrelative to each other in a direction opposite a direction of saidrelative rotation.

Preferably, the locking mechanism includes at least one tab on which arespective said resiliently biased projection is provided, the tab(s)being pushable in a direction opposite to a direction of said bias torelease the projection(s) from abutment with the shoulder(s).

Preferably, the pedestal assembly includes: a support member having asupport portion for receipt of the flooring element(s) thereagainst; anda base securable against the support surface.

Preferably, the pedestal assembly includes a body between the supportmember and the base, the body comprising said first and second members.

Preferably, the support member comprises a threaded portion whichprojects downwardly from said support portion, and the body isconfigured with a correspondingly threaded portion with which thethreaded portion of the support member is engaged such that the supportmember can be screwed relative to the body whereby the height of thepedestal assembly is adjusted.

Preferably, the first member and base are telescopically interengaged soas to be able to assume an extended condition and a retracted conditionwhereby said height of the pedestal assembly is further adjustable.

Preferably, the first member is slidable relative to the base along anaxis of said relative rotation between the extended and retractedconditions.

Preferably, the first member and base are relatively movable between theextended and retracted conditions regardless of whether the first andsecond members are in the extended state or the retracted state.

Preferably, the base comprises a sleeve portion with which the firstmember is rotatably engaged, such that in the retracted condition, thefirst member is at least partially contained in the sleeve portion.

Preferably, the pedestal assembly further comprises, in addition to saidlocking mechanism (“the first locking mechanism”), a locking mechanismoperable to lock the first member and base rotationally when in theextended condition (“the second locking mechanism”).

Preferably, the second locking mechanism is operable in the extendedcondition by way of relative rotation of the first member and base suchthat the first member and base are locked in the extended condition.

Preferably, the second locking mechanism comprises circumferentiallyspaced locking grooves, located on one of the base and the first member,and complementary locking projections, located on the other of the baseand the first member, the locking projections being arranged to bereceived in the grooves such that a locking condition is assumed.

Preferably, the locking projections of the second locking mechanism arelocated at or proximate a top end of the base and the locking grooves ofthe second locking mechanism are located at or proximate a bottom end ofthe first member.

Preferably, the locking grooves of the second locking mechanism arelocated at or proximate a top end of the base and the lockingprojections of the second locking mechanism are located at or proximatea bottom end of the first member.

Preferably, the first member is configured with formations arranged toreinforce said locking projections of the second locking mechanism, eachformation preferably comprising a rib or gusset.

Preferably, each locking projection of the second locking mechanism isreinforced by a respective plurality of said formations, the formationsin each plurality preferably comprising three or more formations whichare equally spaced.

Preferably, the locking grooves of the second locking mechanism consistof three said grooves spaced substantially 120 degrees apart.Alternatively, the locking grooves of the second locking mechanismconsist of four said grooves spaced substantially 90 degrees apart.

Preferably, the second locking mechanism includes at least oneprojection arranged on one of the base and the first member andresiliently biased in a radial direction so as to abut a respectiveshoulder on the other of the base and the first member in the extendedcondition to restrain the first member and the base from rotationrelative to each other in a direction opposite a direction of saidrelative rotation of the first member and base.

Preferably, the second locking mechanism further includes at least onetab on which a respective said resiliently biased projection isprovided, the tab(s) being pushable in a direction opposite to adirection of said bias to release the resiliently biased projection(s)from abutment with the shoulder(s).

Preferably, the support member is configured to hold a spacer comprisingat least one spacer portion, such that the or each spacer portion isreceivable between the elements of a respective pair of adjacent saidelements.

Preferably, the spacer comprises a base, from which the or each spacerportion projects, the base being configured to form a fit with thesupport member whereby the or each spacer portion is receivable betweenthe elements of said respective pair.

Preferably, the support portion is configured with an upwardly openingrecess into which the base of the spacer is receivable so as to formsaid fit, whereby the base does not upwardly project proud of thesupport portion. Preferably, the support portion comprises a honeycombstructure.

Preferably, said first and second members are slideable along an axis ofsaid relative rotation, between the retracted and extended states.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pedestal assembly for supporting at least one flooring element over asupport surface, comprising a base having an underside receivableagainst the support surface, and a support portion arranged for receiptof the flooring element(s) thereagainst, wherein the base comprisesrotatably interengaged first and second members configured with abuttingsurfaces which are inclined relative to said underside such thatrotation of the first member relative to the second member adjusts anangle between said underside and said support portion whereby that anglecan be set equal to an angle of slope of the support surface so that theslope is offset and the or each flooring element is thus level.

Preferably, one of the rotatably interengaged members is configured withformations arranged at spaced positions therearound, and the other ofthe rotatably interengaged members is configured with a complementaryformation with which the spaced formations are successively engageable,at respective rotational positions of said first member relative to saidsecond member, to retain the first member in the respective rotationalposition, whereby the angle between said underside and said supportportion can be incrementally adjusted.

Preferably, either or each of the members is configured to deformresiliently such that each of the spaced formations is engageable withand disengageable from said complementary formation.

Preferably, the spaced formations comprise notches and the complementaryformation comprises a projection receivable in a respective one of saidnotches at each rotational position

Preferably, the spaced formations comprise projections and thecomplementary formation comprises a notch into which a respective one ofsaid projections is receivable at each rotational position

Preferably, the pedestal assembly is configured with a gauge arranged toindicate the degree of adjustment of the angle between said undersideand said support portion.

Preferably, the first member is marked with indicia to indicate thedegree of adjustment and the second member is configured to single outrespective ones of the indicia according to said degree, whereby saidgauge is defined.

Preferably, the first member is marked with respective indiciarepresentative of the degree of adjustment, and the second member isconfigured with an opening, whereby respective ones of the indicia areexposed through the opening according to said degree, the opening andindicia defining said gauge.

Preferably, the first member comprises a circular portion defining saidsurface of that member, and the second member is configured such that apart of the periphery of said circular portion projects radiallyoutwardly therefrom so as to be engageable by hand whereby therotational adjustment can be effected.

Preferably, either of each of the first and second members is configuredin the form of a plate.

Preferably, the pedestal assembly is configured such that the anglebetween said underside and said support portion is adjustable through arange of about 6 degrees.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pedestal assembly according to the second aspect, being the pedestalassembly as described in the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pedestal assembly for supporting at least one flooring element over asupport surface, comprising: a support member having a support portionfor receipt of the flooring element(s) thereagainst; a base, securableagainst the support surface; a body, via which the support member isconnected to the base, comprising members which are telescopicallyinterengaged so as to be able to assume an extended state and aretracted state, whereby a height of the pedestal assembly is adjustableto set a spacing between the flooring element(s) and the supportsurface, wherein the support member and body are configured withinterengaging threads, via which they are connected, such that theheight can be further adjusted by screwing the support member relativeto the body.

Preferably, the support member includes a threaded portion whichprojects downwardly from said support portion and on an exterior ofwhich the thread with which the support member is configured is formed,and the thread with which the body is configured is formed on aninterior of a said member of body which is arranged so as to be anuppermost one of said members of the body when in said extended state.

Preferably, the telescopically interengaged members are slidably movablerelative to each other in an axial direction between the retracted andextended states.

Preferably, the telescopically interengaged members are slidably movablerelative to the base in an axial direction such that said height isfurther adjustable.

Preferably, the body comprises a locking mechanism operable to lock thebody or telescopically interengaged members in the extended state.

Preferably, the locking mechanism is operable in the extended state byway of relative rotation of the telescopically interengaged members suchthat those members are locked in the extended state.

Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises circumferentially spacedlocking grooves located on one of said members and complementary lockingprojections located on another of said members, the locking projectionsbeing arranged to be received in the grooves such that the lockingcondition is assumed.

Preferably, the locking grooves are located at or proximate a top end ofsaid one member and the locking projections are located at or proximatea bottom end of the other member.

Preferably, said other member is configured with formations arranged toreinforce said locking projections, each formation preferably comprisinga rib or gusset.

Preferably, each locking projection is reinforced by a respectiveplurality of said formations, the formations in each pluralitypreferably comprising three or more formations which are equally spaced.

Preferably, the locking grooves consist of three said grooves spacedsubstantially 120 degrees apart. Alternatively, the locking groovesconsist of four said grooves spaced substantially 90 degrees apart.

Preferably, the locking mechanism includes at least one projectionarranged on one of said members and resiliently biased in a radialdirection so as to abut a respective shoulder on the other of saidmembers in the locking condition to restrain the members from rotationrelative to each other in a direction opposite a direction of saidrelative rotation.

Preferably, the locking mechanism includes at least one tab on which arespective said projection is provided, the tab(s) being pushable in adirection opposite to a direction of said bias to release theprojection(s) from abutment with the shoulder(s).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pedestal assembly according to the fourth aspect, being the pedestalassembly described in the first aspect, wherein said members which aretelescopically interengaged comprise said first and second members.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provide apedestal assembly according to the fourth aspect, being the pedestalassembly as described in the second aspect, wherein said base having anunderside is said base securable against the support surface, saidsupport portion for receipt of the flooring element(s) thereagainst issaid support portion arranged for receipt of the flooring element(s)thereagainst, and said members which are telescopically interengaged aresaid members of the body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a spacer for use with a pedestal for supporting at least oneflooring element over a support surface, the spacer comprising a basehave opposite sides, at least one first spacer portion projecting fromone side and at least one second spacer portion projecting from theother side, the base being engageable with the pedestal selectably ineither of two orientations, such that the first or second spacerportion(s) is/are exposed to be receivable between the elements of arespective pair of adjacent said elements, wherein the first and secondspacer portions have differing transverse dimensions to hold atalternative spacings the elements between which they are receivable.

Preferably, the transverse dimension of said first spacer portion(s) isabout 3 mm.

Preferably, the transverse dimension of said second spacer portion(s) isabout 5 mm. Preferably, the number of first spacer portions is four.Preferably, the number of second spacer portions is four.

Preferably, the base is configured to engage a mounting of the pedestalin an orientation perpendicular to each of said two orientations so asto define a spacer portion alternative to said first and second spacerportions, the alternative spacer portion being receivable between theelements of a said pair of adjacent said elements.

Preferably, the base has a thickness which is different from thetransverse dimension of the first spacer portion(s) and/or thetransverse dimension of the second spacer portion(s) to hold at anotheralternative spacing the elements between which it is receivable.

Preferably, at least one of said first and second spacer portions isseparable from the base whereby both of said elements may seat flushagainst said sides.

Preferably, at least one said first spacer portion and at least one saidsecond spacer portion are separable from the base to permit both of saidelements to seat flush against said sides.

Preferably, the spacer is configured to be frangible such that the oreach spacer portion which is separable from the base is so separable.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an assembly comprising a spacer according to the seventh aspectand said pedestal, wherein the spacer is engaged with the pedestal in asaid orientation.

Preferably, said pedestal is defined by the pedestal assembly asdescribed the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of theaspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent fromthe following description.

In the description and drawings of the embodiments, same referencenumerals are used as have been used in respect of the first embodiment,to denote and refer to corresponding features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a height-adjustable pedestal assemblyaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a height-adjustable pedestal assemblyaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is another perspective view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1Bfrom above;

FIGS. 1D and 1E are perspective views of the pedestal assembly of FIG.1B from below;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1A in aretracted state;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1A in anextended state;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 3, cut alongthe D-D plane;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5B is a bottom plan view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5C is a top plan view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a support member of the assembly;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the support member cut;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the support member;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the support member;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a spacer for use with the pedestal assembly;

FIG. 10A is a top plan view of the spacer;

FIG. 10B is a bottom plan view of the spacer;

FIG. 11 is a view of the pedestal assembly with the spacer installed ina horizontal orientation to the support member;

FIG. 12 is a view of the pedestal assembly with the spacer installed ina vertical orientation;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the pedestal assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is a front view of a telescopic member of the assembly;

FIG. 14B is a side view of the telescopic member;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the telescopic member;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the telescopic member;

FIG. 17 is a front view of another telescopic member of the assembly;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the telescopic member of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the telescopic member FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a base of the pedestal assembly;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the base;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the base;

FIG. 23 is a front view of a second member of the base;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the second member; and

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the second member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While aspects of the pedestal assembly will now be described below foruse in combination with each other in preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, it is to be understood that individual aspects of thepresent invention as described can also be used independently of theothers.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a height-adjustable pedestal assembly 10 having asupport member 100 for supporting a flooring element such as a timberjoist or a stone tile; a base 300 with a tubular housing 310 and a baseplate 350 for securing the pedestal assembly 10 to a floor; and a body200 operatively coupled to the support member 100 and the base 300, thebody 200 is provided with telescopic members 210, 250 in the form ofconcentrically arranged tubular members. A spacer 400 may be coupled tothe support member 100, the spacer having projections 430 for providinggaps between flooring elements in use. The pedestal assembly 10 can beadjusted so that its height can be configured between low and highpositions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The telescopicmembers 210, 250 of the body 200 can be manipulated to adjust theoverall vertical height of the pedestal assembly 10. Specifically, thetelescopic members 210, 250 are slideably moveable relative to eachother between an extended state and a retracted state, and rotatablymovable with respect to one another to engage a locking mechanism(“twist-lock”) so that the vertical height of the pedestal assembly 10can be quickly adjusted and locked by a user.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the support member 100 comprises asurface plate 110 for supporting one or more flooring elements (notshown). The surface plate 110 has a central aperture 114 with means foroperatively receiving a spacer 400, which comprises vertically extendingprojections for providing a fixed gap between adjacent flooring elementssupported by the surface plate 110. In one configuration, the centralaperture 114 is provided with an inwardly projecting collar 116extending around the circumference of the aperture 114 for seating thespacer 400 in its horizontal orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member 100 comprises a threadedhollow tubular member 120 extending from a side of the surface plate110. The tubular member 120 has threaded formations 122 which areconfigured for coupling with a corresponding threaded bore 212 of thebody 200 when assembled, so that the distance of the pedestal betweenthe support member 100 and the body can be adjusted, in smallincrements, by rotating the tubular member 120 with respect to the body200. The tubular member 120 may be provided with a push release tab 124integrally formed with a locking projection for abutting an end of thethreaded formation of the threaded bore 212, and thereby preventing thetubular member 120 from being detached from the body 200 in use, unlessthe push release tab 124 is actuated by a user.

In one configuration, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6B, thesupport member 100 is provided with a pair of slots or grooves 118dimensioned for receiving a plate 410 of the spacer 400 oriented in avertical plane. Each slot 118 is made from two projections extendingfrom an inner wall of the surface plate 110 and/or the threaded member120 towards the centre of the aperture 114. The slot 118 is dimensionedto receive the spacer plate 410 in a frictional/interference fit. Thesurface plate 110 may be provided with a honeycomb pattern arrangementto reduce materials used. The surface plate 110 may also be providedwith additional apertures to further reduce materials used.

FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B show a spacer 400 for use with the pedestalassembly 10. The spacer 400 comprises a plate 410 having two opposingsurfaces 412, 414, each opposing surface 412, 414 can be positionedhorizontally on the collar 116 of the surface plate 110 as the uppermost surface (i.e. sides of the spacer 400 in its horizontal orientationis reversible). Each surface 412, 414 comprises at least one sidewayextending projection 430, 432, in which its thickness provides agap/spacing between flooring elements mounted on the surface plate 110during use. In some embodiments, the plate 410 is in the form of acircular disc with two truncated sides.

The projections 430, 432 of each respective opposing surfaces 412, 414are configured with a different thickness so that different sides of thespacer 400 can be used to accommodate gap requirements of differentflooring elements. In one embodiment, the thickness of the projection ofany one of the opposing surfaces 412, 414 is about 3 mm. In anotherembodiment, the thickness of the projection of any one of the opposingsurfaces 412, 414 is about 5 mm. In some configurations, the projectionsare formed, in its horizontal sectional plane, in the shape of “W” tominimise material waste while maintaining structural strength. Eachopposing surfaces 412, 414 can be provided with four such projections430, 432 located on surfaces 412, 414 in the shape of a cross. Furtherside apertures 420 and a central aperture 422 may be added to the plate410 for material savings.

Advantageously, in addition to using the spacer 400 in its horizontalorientation in which the plate 410 lies flat on the surface plate 110 asshown in FIG. 11, the spacer 400 can also be received in a verticalorientation by complementary slot 118 of the surface plate 110 as shownin FIGS. 12 and 13. In this vertical arrangement, the projections 430,432 extend horizontally, and the thickness of the plate 410 is insteadused to provide a gap/spacing between flooring elements such as timberjoists. In addition, at least one of the projections 430, 432 isconfigured to be removable by hand to enable a flooring element such astimber joists to be seated flush against the surface 412 or 414 of theplate 410 when the spacer 400 is mounted vertically. Moreover, the plate410 may be provided with an aperture 440 formed proximate the removableprojection 430, 432, so that when the projection 430, 432 is removed,the aperture 440 is then exposed for allowing a fastener to be insertedbetween the flooring elements mounted adjacent the vertically orientedspacer plate 410.

In one configuration, the plate 410 is further dimensioned so that itsmid-point diameter at its widest point is larger than the aperture 114diameter of the surface plate 110 so that an outer edge 416 of the plate410 would abut an inner edge of the aperture 114 and prevent the plate410 from moving further through the slot 118. The outer edge 416 of theplate 410 may be configured with adjacent notches 417 to assist in themounting and removal of the plate 410 when used in its verticalorientation.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B to 19, the body 200 of the pedestalassembly 10 comprises at least two telescopically arranged members 210,250, such as concentrically arranged tubular members, configured to bemovable between an extended state, in which the members 210, 250 areextended relative to each other as shown in FIG. 3, and a retractedstate, in which one of the members is at least partially received withinthe other as shown in FIG. 2. The first/top telescopic member 210 ispositioned above the second/bottom telescopic member 250 when thepedestal 10 is fully extended. In one configuration, the telescopicmembers 210, 250 are dimensioned such that the diameter of the topmember 210 is smaller than that of the bottom member 250 so that the topmember 210 can be received within the bottom member 250 in a retractedposition. The top telescopic member 210 is configured with an internalthreaded bore 212 adapted for operatively coupling with the threadedmember 120 of the support member 100.

It is to be appreciated that while the telescopic members 210, 250 canbe said to be moveable relative to each other, it can also be said thatthe telescopic members 210, 250 can move relative to the base 300. Inone configuration, the base 300 comprises a tubular member 310 forhousing the body 200 when the assembly 10 is in a retractedconfiguration as shown in FIG. 3. The tubular housing member 310 isadapted to be operatively coupled with the body 200, and the twotelescopic members 210, 250 of the body 200 can be said to be movablebetween (a) an extended state in which the members 210, 250 are extendedrelative to the housing 310 as shown in FIG. 3, (b) a retracted state inwhich one of the members 210, 250 is at least partially received withinthe housing 310, and (c) a further retracted state in which both themembers 210, 250 are at least partially received within the housing asshown in FIG. 2.

In a preferred configuration, the telescopic members 210, 250 arelongitudinally slideable relative to each other so that one member 210,250 can be simply pulled away from another to an extended position. Inyet another preferred configuration, telescopic members 210, 250 areconfigured to be longitudinally slideable relative to the housing 310.

It is to be understood that the telescopic members 210, 250 of the body200 could account for a sizable portion of the overall height of thepedestal assembly 10, therefore positional adjustment to the telescopicmembers 210, 250 translates to vertical height adjustments of theassembly 10 during use.

It is to be appreciated that, advantageously, adjusting the positions ofthe telescopic members 210, 250 with respect to each other and withrespect to the base housing 310 provide a wide range of adjustableheight increments for the pedestal assembly 10. In one configuration,the height of any one of the telescopic members 210, 250 accounts forabout 30% of the total adjustable height of the pedestal assembly 10. Inanother configuration, the height of any one of the telescopic members210, 250 accounts for about 25% of the total adjustable height of thepedestal assembly 10. In yet another configuration, the height of anyone of the telescopic members 210, 250 accounts for about 20% of thetotal adjustable height of the pedestal assembly 10.

The body 200 comprises a locking mechanism operable to lock the movementof the telescopic members 210, 250 and/or between the telescopic member250 and the base housing 310, so that relative rotation of one effectsrotation of the other. In a preferred embodiment, locking mechanisms areprovided on the body 200 and the base 300 and only engageable when thetelescopic members 210, 250 are extended relative to each other or whenthe telescopic member 250 is extended relative to the base housing 310.It is to be appreciated that the meaning of “extended” should beinterpreted to include configurations of the telescopic members whenthey are slightly or fully extended relative to each other and/or to thebase housing 310.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable by way ofrelative rotation of the members 210, 250 and/or relative rotationbetween the telescopic member 250 and the base housing 310. The lockingmechanism in this embodiment can be described as a “twist-lock”, wherelocking or unlocking of the members 210, 250 and/or base housing 310 isachieved by rotating the respective members 210, 250 and/or base housing310 relative. It can be appreciated that the embodiment having thetwist-lock feature, in conjunction with the slideable nature of thetelescopic members 210, 250 and/or base housing 310, advantageouslyallows the height of the pedestal assembly 10 to be adjusted quickly andeasily. A user could adjust a large height increment of the pedestalassembly 10 by twisting the telescopic members 210, 250 and/or the basehousing 310 in a first direction to first unlock the pedestal (if it isin an locked state), then slideably pull or push the telescopic members210, 250 and/or the base housing 310 to the desired height increment,and finally lock the telescopic members 210, 250 and/or the base housing310 by twisting the members 210, 250 and/or the base housing 310 in asecond direction. Further fine-scale height adjustments can be done byrotating the threaded member 120 of the support member 100 relative tothe body 200.

In one configuration, the locking mechanism of the telescopic members210, 250 and/or the base housing 310 comprises radially spaced lockinggrooves/slots 270, 320 located on an interior of a bottom telescopicmember 250 and/or base housing 310 for engaging complementary shapedlocking tongues 220, 260 located on an exterior of telescopic members210, 250. The locking tongues 220, 260 extend at least partially aroundthe exterior circumference of the telescopic members 210, 250, whilecomplementary shaped receiving grooves 270, 320 extend at leastpartially around the interior circumference of the bottom telescopicmember 250 and/or the base housing 310. In one configuration, relativeclockwise rotation between the members 210, 250 and/or between one ofthe members 210, 250 and the housing 310 engages the twist-lock, whileanti-clockwise rotation disengages the lock. In other configurations,the opposite direction of rotation would engage and disengage thetwist-lock.

Returning to FIGS. 14A and 14B to 19, in an embodiment, the lockinggrooves 270, 320 are located at or proximate a top end of telescopicmember 250 and base housing 310, respectively. The locking tongues arelocated at or proximate a bottom end of telescopic member 210 and 250,respectively. It is to be appreciated that there can be any number ofcomplementary locking grooves and locking tongues as described above andprovided in any radial configuration around the telescopic members 210,250 and the base housing 310. In some embodiments, there are three suchlocking mechanisms spaced substantially 120 degrees apart, in otherconfigurations, there are four such locking mechanisms spacedsubstantially 90 degrees apart. In some embodiments, a reinforcement ribor gusset 222, 262 extends vertically from the locking tongue 220, 260on the exterior of the telescopic members 210, 250. In oneconfiguration, the telescopic members 210, 250 comprise four ribs spacedevenly along the length of each locking tongue 220, 260 for purposes ofproviding a finger grip for a user and for greater structural support ofthe locking tongue 220, 260. In other embodiments, either or each of thetubular telescopic members 210, 250 may be strengthened/reinforced atone or more sections of its wall, for example by regions of the wallwhich have increased thickness and/or by protrusions (e.g. ribs)/webbingon the inner surface and/or outer surface of the wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises aprojection 224, 262 located proximate at least one of the lockingtongues 220, 260 for operatively engaging a complementary notch 272, 322located proximate at least one of the locking groove 270, 320. Thisserves to frictionally engage lock the telescopic members 210, 250,and/or one of the telescopic members 210, 250 and the base housing 310together so that rotation of one member effects rotation of the other.The locking mechanism may also be provided with a push-release tab 226,266 integrally formed with the projection 224, 262 so that theprojection 224, 262 can be assisted from disengaging the notch 272, 322by a user pushing/actuating the push-release tab. Once the projection224, 262 is dislodged from the notch 272, 322, the user could thenrotate the telescopic members 210, 250 and/or the base housing 310 tocompletely disengage the locking mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 to 25, the pedestal assembly 10 comprises abase 300 with a tubular base housing 310 and a bottom plate 350 forfixing the pedestal assembly 10 to a floor. In a preferred embodiment,an opposing plate 312 is formed integrally to a lower portion of thebase housing 310. Reinforcing ribs 330 and 332 may extend from anexterior wall of the base housing 310 to an upper surface of theopposing plate 312 to provide structural strengthening of the base 300.

The plates 312 and 350 are arranged to be rotatably mounted together. Atleast one of the plates 312, 350 is configured with an inclined/slopingsurface 314, 364 so that relative rotation of the plates 312, 350, whenmounted, could offset/accommodate an inclined surface angle of thefloor. In a preferred embodiment, both plates 312, 350 are configuredwith respective inclined surfaces 314, 364. It is preferred that theinclined surface(s) 314, 364 are configured according to a predeterminedslope angle, and moreover it is preferred that the surface slope angleis constant.

In one configuration, the opposing plates 312, 350 with inclinedsurfaces 314, 364 are arranged to face one another and thus enables arange of predetermined inclined angles of the base 300 by virtue ofrelative rotation of the opposing plates 312, 350. This inclined base300 could thus be adjusted to offset/accommodate uneven and/or inclinedsurface angles of the floor. In one configuration, the range of inclinedangle adjustment of the surface is up to 6 degrees. The degree ofinclination of the base 300 can be adjusted by relative rotation of theopposing plates 312, 350, when mounted. In an embodiment, the bottomplate 350 comprises indicia, ranging from 0 to 8, indicating a degree ofsurface incline relative to the base. The opposing plate 312 may beprovided with apertures 340, 342 for viewing corresponding indiciavalues of the bottom plate 350 so that a user could adjustment the baseincline angle rotating the opposing plates 312, 350 in accordance withthe indicia as shown through the apertures 340, 342.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the opposing plates 312, 350 comprisesradially spaced protrusions 344 for frictionally engaging complementarynotches 354 of the opposing plate 312, 350. In an alternativeembodiment, one of the opposing plates 312, 350 comprises radiallyspaced notches for frictionally engaging complementary protrusions ofthe opposing plate 312, 350. The bottom plate 350 may be provided withone or more walls 352 for operatively coupling or gripping the opposingplate 312. An internal portion of at least one of the walls 352 isprovided with protrusions 344 and/or notches 354 for engaging thecomplementary geometries of the opposing plate 312.

In an embodiment, the bottom plate 350 is configured substantially in atriangular shape for accommodating the use of the pedestal assembly 10around corners. In this embodiment, the opposing plate 312, when mountedabove the bottom plate 350, would have side portions exposed as shown inFIG. 1 for ease of plate rotation and base incline angle adjustment.

In use, a plurality of pedestal assemblies 10 can be arranged in anarray across a ground surface. The height of each pedestal assembly canbe adjusted by rotatably disengaging the lock mechanism of the body 200and the base 300, pulling one or more telescopic members 210, 250 of thebody 200 as required and rotatably engaging the lock mechanism. Fineadjustments to the pedestal assembly height can be made by rotating thethreaded surface plate 110 relative to the threaded bore 212 of the body200. Sloping angles of the ground can be offset by rotating the opposingbase plates 312, 350 to adjust the incline angle of the base 300. Theabove steps can be repeated for the plurality of pedestal assemblies 10so that an appropriate elevated construction surface can be provided tosupport the mounting of flooring elements.

Although the steps described above are provided in a specific order, itcan be performed in any variation of this order and additional steps maybe executed between the steps described above.

It is to be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the inventionadvantageously provide pedestal assemblies in which large heightincrements can be adjusted quickly and easily, thereby savingsignificant time and labour costs. Furthermore, preferred embodiments ofthe invention provide improved pedestal assemblies with a wideadjustable height range, as and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which reducesthe need for users to procure and install additional add-on componentsto the pedestal assemblies; potentially contributing to further costsavings.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to aperson skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form anddetail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited byany of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not theexclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

1.-72. (canceled)
 73. A pedestal assembly receivable on a supportsurface to support at least one flooring element over the supportsurface, the assembly comprising: first and second members which aretelescopically interengaged so as to be able to assume an extended stateand a retracted state, whereby a height of the pedestal assembly isadjustable to set a spacing between the flooring element(s) and thesupport surface; and a locking mechanism operable in the extended stateby way of relative rotation of the members such that the first andsecond members are locked in the extended state.
 74. A pedestal assemblyaccording to claim 73, wherein the locking mechanism comprisescircumferentially spaced locking grooves located on one of said membersand complementary locking projections located on the other member, thelocking projections being arranged to be received in the grooves suchthat the locking condition is assumed.
 75. A pedestal assembly accordingto claim 73, wherein the locking mechanism includes at least oneprojection arranged on one of said members and resiliently biased in aradial direction so as to abut a respective shoulder on the other ofsaid members in the locking condition to restrain the members fromrotation relative to each other in a direction opposite a direction ofsaid relative rotation.
 76. A pedestal assembly according to claim 73,further comprising: a support member having a support portion forreceipt of the flooring element(s) thereagainst; and a base securableagainst the support surface.
 77. A pedestal assembly according to claim76, further comprising a body between the support member and the base,the body comprising said first and second members.
 78. A pedestalassembly according to claim 77, wherein: the support member comprises athreaded portion which projects downwardly from said support portion;and the body is configured with a correspondingly threaded portion withwhich the threaded portion of the support member is engaged such thatthe support member can be screwed relative to the body whereby theheight of the pedestal assembly is adjusted.
 79. A pedestal assemblyaccording to claim 76, wherein the first member and base aretelescopically interengaged so as to be able to assume an extendedcondition and a retracted condition whereby said height of the pedestalassembly is further adjustable.
 80. A pedestal assembly according toclaim 79, further comprising, in addition to said locking mechanism(“the first locking mechanism”), a locking mechanism operable to lockthe first member and base rotationally when in the extended condition(“the second locking mechanism”).
 81. A pedestal assembly according toclaim 80, wherein the second locking mechanism is operable in theextended condition by way of relative rotation of the first member andbase such that the first member and base are locked in the extendedcondition.
 82. A pedestal assembly according to claim 81, wherein thesecond locking mechanism comprises: circumferentially spaced lockinggrooves, located on one of the base and the first member; andcomplementary locking projections, located on the other of the base andthe first member, the locking projections being arranged to be receivedin the grooves such that a locking condition is assumed.
 83. A pedestalassembly according to claim 76, wherein the support member is configuredto hold a spacer comprising at least one spacer portion, such that thespacer portion is receivable between the elements of a respective pairof adjacent said elements.
 84. A pedestal assembly for supporting atleast one flooring element over a support surface, comprising: a basehaving an underside receivable against the support surface; and asupport portion arranged for receipt of the flooring element(s)thereagainst, wherein the base comprises rotatably interengaged firstand second members configured with abutting surfaces which are inclinedrelative to said underside such that rotation of the first memberrelative to the second member adjusts an angle between said undersideand said support portion whereby that angle can be set equal to an angleof slope of the support surface so that the slope is offset and the oreach flooring element is thus level.
 85. A pedestal assembly accordingto claim 84, wherein: one of the rotatably interengaged members isconfigured with formations arranged at spaced positions therearound; andthe other of the rotatably interengaged members is configured with acomplementary formation with which the spaced formations aresuccessively engageable, at respective rotational positions of saidfirst member relative to said second member, to retain the first memberin the respective rotational position, whereby the angle between saidunderside and said support portion can be incrementally adjusted.
 86. Apedestal assembly according to claim 84, further comprising a gaugearranged to indicate the degree of adjustment of the angle between saidunderside and said support portion.
 87. A pedestal assembly forsupporting at least one flooring element over a support surface,comprising: a support member having a support portion for receipt of theat least one flooring element thereagainst; a base, securable againstthe support surface; and a body, via which the support member isconnected to the base, comprising members which are telescopicallyinterengaged so as to be able to assume an extended state and aretracted state, whereby a height of the pedestal assembly is adjustableto set a spacing between the flooring element(s) and the supportsurface, wherein the support member and body are configured withinterengaging threads, via which they are connected, such that theheight can be further adjusted by screwing the support member relativeto the body.
 88. A pedestal assembly according to claim 87, wherein: thesupport member includes a threaded portion which projects downwardlyfrom said support portion and on an exterior of which the thread withwhich the support member is configured is formed; and the thread withwhich the body is configured is formed on an interior of a said memberof body which is arranged so as to be an uppermost one of said membersof the body when in said extended state.
 89. A spacer for use with apedestal for supporting at least one flooring element over a supportsurface, the spacer comprising a base have opposite sides, at least onefirst spacer portion projecting from one side, and at least one secondspacer portion projecting from the other side, the base being engageablewith the pedestal selectably in either of two orientations, such that atleast one of the first and second spacer portions are exposed to bereceivable between the elements of a respective pair of adjacent saidelements, wherein the first and second spacer portions have differingtransverse dimensions to hold at alternative spacings the elementsbetween which they are receivable.
 90. An assembly comprising: a spaceraccording to claim 89; and a pedestal, wherein the spacer is engagedwith the pedestal in one of said orientations.